Despite falling to Edmonton in the end, Capital District started off strong, winning the very first draw and playing tough defensively to hold off Edmonton until the 18:45 mark, when Amy Boucher (Edmonton, Alta.) shelved a glove side goal on the power-play, on assists from Jessica Healey (Edmonton, Alta.) and Jessica Sekulic (Edmonton, Alta.). Netminder Emma MacKinnon (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) made some crucial saves throughout the period, helping kill off two other Capital District penalties.

Edmonton was able to take advantage of another power-play early in the second, with Alanna Tinney (Edmonton, Alta.) putting the puck in the net at 2:10 for a 2-0 lead. Capital District quickly tightened up its defence, while its offence created several chances including a couple of Maggie Grimmer (Sherwood, P.E.I.) breakaways, but the host team just couldn’t find the back of the net by the time the buzzer signalled the end of the period.

The third was all about the Edmonton Thunder, who capitalized every time their sticks found the puck. A rebound goal at 6:30 by Sekulic, and a one-timer by Brett Campbell (Edmonton, Alta.) at 13:47 in the period capped off the game at 4-0, giving Edmonton its first win of the 2012 Esso Cup.

The Edmonton Thunder will be gunning for their second win Wednesday at 4 p.m. AT against the Rebelles de Saguenay, while the Capital District Cyclones face off against the Pembina Valley Hawks at 7:30 p.m. AT on Wednesday.